Brandy Sidecar

This is a more traditional cocktail, which can spruce up low end brandy.  It is nicely balanced between sour and sweet, and very pretty.

1 1/2 oz. Brandy
3/4 oz. Orange liqueur (Cointreau or Triple Sec)
3/4 oz. lemon juice

Fill a cocktail shaker 3/4 full with ice cubes. Pour in lemon juice, orange liqueur, and brandy. Cover and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds until the outside of the shaker becomes cold and frosty. Strain into a martini glass and garnish with a wedge of lemon.

My favorite story of the origin of the drink is from David Embury in "The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks" (1948).  He said that it was developed in a Parisian bistro during World War I by a friend who rode up to a favorite bar in a motorcycle's sidecar. Which bar this was is left to speculation, but it is popularly thought to be Harry's New York Bar.